Funding for the sugarcane industry to refine its leadership

Funding for the sugarcane industry to refine its leadership

The Australian sugarcane industry is set to benefit from the Coalition Government’s $5 million Leadership in Agricultural Industries Fund.

Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator Anne Ruston, said the sugar industry through Australian Cane Farmers Association Limited and CANEGROWERS would each receive $50,000 from the fund to
support the development of industry leaders into the future.

“The Coalition Government believes in and supports agriculture as one of the powerhouses driving the Australian economy. This Fund is investing in the next generation of leaders in the sugarcane industry to help drive future growth,” Minister Ruston said.

“Through the Leadership in Agricultural Industries Fund these organisations will each receive $50,000 to send canegrower representatives on leadership courses run by the Australian Institute of Company Directors and/or
the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation.

“Undertaking targeted training through these highly-regarded providers will assist these organisations in the development of their leadership capability and capacity.

“This is an important investment in the industry’s future and will ensure ongoing support for the 4,600 cane growers across Australia who produced an estimated $1.8 billion worth of sugarcane in 2016-17.

“This funding will have a lasting impact on the industry—supporting the current and next generation of leaders to champion their industry’s priorities on policy matters, such as driving freer agricultural trade which has delivered the Coalition Government’s successful Free Trade Agreement with Peru.

“The Peru FTA will build on the estimated $2.2 billion worth of sugar exported from Australia in 2016-17, which is a value-added processed product, giving Australian sugar exporters duty-free access for 30,000 tonnes
of sugar a year when the FTA enters into force. This annual volume will grow to 60,000 tonnes in year five and to 90,000 tonnes by year 18.”

The Leadership in Agricultural Industries Fund was announced as part of the Coalition Government’s 2016 election policy for a Stronger Agricultural Sector.

The Leadership in Agricultural Industries Fund aims to support efforts to develop leadership capacity within agricultural industries to enhance the ability of emerging agricultural leaders to
advocate agricultural commodity priorities and drive trade opportunities.

Funding supports projects with a wide representation across the sector, from large and well-established industries to smaller and emerging industries.

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